Actor Charlton Heston, who died Saturday at the age of 84, was a longtime supporter of Abilene Christian University, through visits, speaking engagements and scholarship endowments.
Heston and his wife, Lydia, attended three of ACU's Homecoming musical performances and endowed two scholarships for students at ACU, and Charlton Heston received an honorary doctorate from ACU in 1991.
"We are grateful that through several visits over the years the Hestons became such good friends of ACU," said Dr. Gary McCaleb, ACU vice president. "Their visits to the campus were always exciting and memorable. We mourn with his family during this time of his passing."
Charlton Heston is best known for playing a long list of historical figures, including several Biblical epics. He won an Academy Award in 1959 for his starring role in the film epic Ben-Hur, and he remained active in Hollywood for more than 60 years.
Heston's relationship with ACU began in 1983, when he was asked to speak on campus. He also had the opportunity to see that year's Homecoming musical, "The Sound of Music."
In 1985, Mrs. Heston was asked to exhibit her photographs in ACU's Shore Art Gallery, which she did, and she and her husband attended another Homecoming musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
The couple also attended yet another ACU Homecoming in 1989, viewing ACU's musical "The King and I." The Hestons were impressed by ACU's theatre department, and at that time they established the Heston Family ACU Theatre Endowment.
Also during the 1989 Homecoming activities, Mrs. Heston presented a collection of family photographs she had taken, many of them on the sets where Heston had filmed. Mr. and Mrs. Heston showed the photography collection at the Paramount Theatre and narrated the presentation. The occasion also included the introduction of Mrs. Heston's first book of photography, "Light of the World," which was published by ACU Press. The Hestons established the Lydia Clark Heston Photojournalism Scholarship in ACU's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the proceeds of Mrs. Heston's book benefitted that endowed scholarship.
ACU presented Charlton Heston with an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree on February 16, 1991. At the ceremony, Heston read selections from Exodus.
ACU administrators Dr. William J. Teague and Dr. Gary McCaleb were guests at the Hestons' 50th wedding anniversary dinner in Los Angeles in March 1994.
To view an interview with Heston, visit http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/acu.edu.1349727131.01364213168.1510757865?i=1286628881.
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.
